Minding the AP mines thru transfer?

Published: Fri 09th Oct 2009 09:26 AM

Minding the AP mines thru transfer?

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Hyderabad, Oct 8 :

Whenever a top IAS official is shifted many eyebrows are raised in administrative circles. Often, the Chief Minister is made the scapegoat suggesting some political clout or coterie as the possible cause for such transfer. The sudden shifting of Y Srilakshmi , secretary, Industries, Commerce, and Mining department recently created a furore in the media. When asked about the reason behind Srilakshmi’s transfer, sources close to the Chief Minister’s Office did not specify any reason but indicated that an order is an order. As the common man’s understanding goes, it is either political or personal reasons that determine which official should hold what post in the CM’s corridor of power.

Srilakshmi joined the mining department in 2006 and functioned with full autonomy even though the Industry and Commerce department is headed by a principal secretary. After the sudden demise of Y.S.Rajasekhar Reddy, things have turned the other way round for her. The moot question is who is behind her transfer. Is it Rosaiah’s dislike for her, or her so-called `arrogance’ with the political bosses or any other reason that might be lurking behind the curtains.

Sources close to the Congress circles indicate that it was the party High command which triggered her transfer. The reason cited is that Defence Minister A K Antony, who is also incharge of the Congress affairs in Karnataka, is instrumental in getting the IAS officer shunted to the General Administration department.

The problem with Srilakshmi was that the manner in which she handled the Mines in Andhra- Karnataka border benefited the mining barons belonging to the BJP in Karnataka. The money procured from the Mines is reported to have been pumped into the election by BJP mining barons. In the post- poll scenario, it has come to light that the huge mining money pumped into elections was the cause of the Congress rout.

According to close Congress insiders, Antony had cautioned the leadership to keep under surveillance the mining activities of Karnataka BJP leaders in Andhra Pradesh. The issue also figured prominently many times in the core committee meeting of the Congress in New Delhi. However, this particular issue went on unhindered and finally after YSR’s death the High Command had to execute the proceedings through Chief Minister K Rosaiah. Further, it is reliably learnt that the High Command asked the Chief Minister to tighten the loose ends in the mining policy in Andhra Pradesh.